CBI calls for greater workplace inclusion

Published: October 27, 2016

The organisation believes it is vital that more is done to attract a broader range of staff from various social backgrounds, races and gender – with flexible working at the heart of any inclusive working practice.

At present, around one in ten job advertisements mention flexible working arrangements, despite close to 50 per cent of employers offering it, and this could lead to many people being put off applying for a position.

CBI president Paul Drechsler said: “Inclusive workplaces give firms the chance to get ahead of their competitors by making better decisions, through diverse teams which draw on a wider range of ideas and experiences.”

He added: “As businesses, it is up to us to seize the opportunities that exist to make some positive changes, becoming firms that will be competitive into the middle of the 21st century. If we get it right, business growth and greater opportunity will go hand in hand.”

Other recommendations from the CBI include removing candidates’ names from job applications to lessen the chance of any unconscious bias.